Boat Rentals now available!
See Boat Rental Days and Hours of Operation, Prices at the bottom of the page.
*Please note that no boats will be rented after 6:00 PM and minimum one-hour rental required. First come, first serve.

Boating is amongst the many recreational activities available at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve, with access to the Mississippi River & Lake George.

Park hours, 6:00 AM - Dusk, apply to all of the Forest Preserve District's boat launch areas.
In addition to its access to the Mississippi River from the northern boundary of the preserve, one of the main attractions of the Loud Thunder Forest Preserve is Lake George popular for canoeing, sailing, boating, and fishing. Lake George is a 167 acre man-made lake which has a maximum depth of 55 feet. The lake is stocked with many varieties of fish, including bluegill, large mouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, bullhead, and muskellunge. A sports fishing license from the State of Illinois is required for fishing on Lake George.

• Gas motors are not allowed on Lake George, electric trolling motors only.
• Swimming is not allowed in Lake George.
• No campfires on the lake shore are permitted.

Concessions and Boat Rental

Concessions and boat rental check-in are now available in the Park Office. Enjoy boating on Lake George aboard jon boats, kayaks, canoes, small and large pontoons. Picnic and camping supplies, tackle, bait or a quick snack is available in the Park Office. Fishing licenses are currently not sold or available at the Park Office or Boat Rental launch area.